Hotel Irotama XXI

Our room was quite nice and had a wide open view, but the resort itself felt dated. The dozen or so restaurants seemed to offer the same menu. The TV only had Spanish language channels, and CNN didn't work at any point during our stay. For about the same price, the four star Marriot next door is significantly better. This shouldn't be considered a five star hotel.

The service was great, and compared with the other Irotama options, the rooms are very good. They could use a little renovation, but we still enjoyed our stay. The building is quite far from most facilities, including the bar, pools, gyms, and Coco's restaurant. Arahuacos is the closest one.

The beach kiosk area was clean, quiet, and felt safe, with no vendors or loud speakers. We spent most of our time swimming in the calm central pool, where we could order drinks and use the little slide and waterfall. Lunch at Los Cocos was great. Even during the pandemic and peak tourist season in Santa Marta, the resort never seemed crowded, disorganized, dirty, or poorly serviced. We loved the quiet, and if you bring a speaker everywhere, this probably isn't the place for you. My family of four came for one night and stayed two. Our fifth floor room faced the ocean, and the view was so beautiful it's hard to describe. Our plan included two meals, so we chose breakfast and lunch because dinner can be a small meal at many restaurants. The food was good, though not excellent. You won't go hungry or be disgusted by it. I think picky people will complain wherever they go. Since the Caribbean coast is hot and humid, management should include more free drinks in the meal plan. The whole Irotama resort is amazing, and Irotama 21 is excellent. Every worker we met, from the desk staff and restaurant servers to the guards, was especially helpful. Good manners go a long way: smile, say please, and say thank you. I saw some very rude guests there. Special thanks to Jean-Paul at the Irotama 21 front desk, who gave us great service and was a great person. We're a normal family, without any royal demands, and we recommend visiting any time of year. We'll be back.

There are several restaurants included within walking distance, and the service was excellent. The beach, pools, and weekly activities made for a relaxing stay, with great amenities and views.